solve
- to find the answer or explanation for; clear up; explain: to solve the mystery of the missing books.
- to work out the answer or solution to (a mathematical problem).
Origin of solve
Synonyms for solve
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comRelated Words for solve
do, determine, fix, explain, clarify, have, settle, decide, lick, illuminate, puzzle, unlock, divine, enlighten, disentangle, fathom, decode, unravel, crack, construeExamples from the Web for solve
Contemporary Examples of solve
This is the first study of its kind in Turkey and raises the possibility that a private solution could solve a public problem.
To solve the problem, we need to study a lot more comets and meteorites.
Is there anyone who thinks the urgent problem we need to solve in Washington, D.C. is how to allow more spending on campaigns?
“I doubt you can solve range and the need for a large magazine with the same missile,” he said.
Why are you trying to solve a cultural problem with a political solution?
Historical Examples of solve
When you solve a sum you go from "a" to "b" and from "b" to "c" and from "c" to "d" and so on.
Ancient ManHendrik Willem van Loon
But this does not astonish us when we understand the difficulties which he was obliged to solve.
Ancient ManHendrik Willem van Loon
To solve their problem the engineers borrowed an idea from the Sumerians.
Ancient ManHendrik Willem van Loon
He was trying to solve his problem and Tillie's, and what he had found was no solution, but a compromise.
KMary Roberts Rinehart
I asked, astonished at Jim's behavior, and anxious for some clew by which to solve its mystery.
The UnderdogF. Hopkinson Smith
solve
- to find the explanation for or solution to (a mystery, problem, etc)
- maths
- to work out the answer to (a problem)
- to obtain the roots of (an equation)
Word Origin for solve
Word Origin and History for solve
late 14c., "to disperse, dissipate, loosen," from Latin solvere "to loosen, dissolve; untie, release, detach; depart; unlock; scatter; dismiss; accomplish, fulfill; explain; remove," from PIE *se-lu-, from reflexive pronoun *s(w)e- (see idiom) + root *leu- "to loosen, divide, cut apart" (see lose). The meaning "explain, answer" is attested from 1530s; for sense evolution, see solution. Mathematical use is attested from 1737. Related: Solved; solving.